Julia Zeifang

b. circa 1878, d. 17 June 1964
  • Julia Zeifang was born circa 1878 in New York.
  • Marcus Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Julia Zeifang, Catherine Zeifang, Ursula Zeifang, Rosina Zeifang, Bernard Zeifang and Melchior Zeifang. Lucy Zeifang was enumerated twice in 1880, both with her family and as a servant in James Hollenbeck's household.
  • She married Albert Leo Stevens, son of Franz Hofner and Anna Paulina Waldheger, possibly 1 October 1897.
  • The following appeared on 16 January 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Leo Stevens, who have been in town since Christmas visiting Mrs. Stevens' parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. Zeifang of Pierce Avenue, returned to their home in New York this morning.
  • The following appeared on 13 October 1908 in the Goldfield Chronicle: (New York, Oct. 13) Women are now to learn to fly. The New York Women's Aero club is in its genesis. The project of the feminine aeronauts was conceived by Mrs. Lake, wife of the constructor of the submarine vessels, and Mrs. Gillespie, whose husband won fame for his aeroplane. Mrs. Leo Stevens, wife of Captain Stevens, has been selected as leader of the organization.
         While the organizers aim for no national club it is their intention to give women of other states the privilege of associate membership. Among the charter members will be the wives of many of the Aero club's members, as well as of the Aeronautical society.
         The object is to initiate women into the science of aerial travel, so that through their knowledge on the subject the movement may be widespread.
  • The following appeared on 26 November 1909 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of New York, nee Miss Julia Zeifang of this city is visiting her sister, Mrs. John Seitz of No. 918 Niagara avenue. She was called here on account of the death of John Seitz.
  • The following appeared on 26 November 1909 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The funeral of John Seitz was held from his late residence yesterday afternoon. A large number of friends of the deceased attended. These included members of Camp Lowry, Woodmen of the World, and Canton Cataract, I. O. O. F., who attended in a body. The cortage moved from the house, No. 918 Niagara avenue at 2 o'clock to the Zion Lutheran Church, where the services were held.
         These services were conducted by the Reverend Herman Brezing, pastor of the church. The ediface was filled with friends of the deceased who, by their presence gave silent tribute of the esteem in which Mr. Seitz was held. The interment was made in Oakwood cemetery.
         The pall bearers were Henry Schwenk, Charles Ford, Martin Mayle, William Turner, William Kirkpatrick of this city and C. G. Cuddaback of Youngstown.
         Among the out of town people who attended the funeral were Mrs. Leo Stevens of New York, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Evans, Florence and Arthur Evans, Captain and Mrs. Greaser, Charles Hornig of Buffalo.
  • The following appeared on 17 March 1913 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: After an illness of several months, Marcus Zeifang, one of the city's oldest and most respected German residents, passed away at his home, No. 737 Pierce avenue, at 10 o'clock this morning, at the advanced age of 79 years. Death was due to pneumonia and a complication of diseases from which he had been a long and patient sufferer.
         Born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 27, 1833, Mr. Zeifang came to this country with his wife, June 12, 1860, and settled in the then village of Suspension Bridge. For more than 30 years he was a flagman at the Cleveland avenue crossing of the Erie, being retired about two years ago.
         In 1864, he became an Odd Fellow, affiliating with Niagra Falls Lodge No. 81, I. O. O. F., and was next to the oldest member of the order, in Niagara Falls, the oldest being Matthew Fink. He was also a devout member of the Zion Lutheran church.
         Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang had been married about a year when they arrived in this country, and throughout the fifty-four years of their wedded life, had never been separated longer than twenty-four house. Mrs. Zeifang has been ill for the past several weeks, and her death is now almost momentarily expected.
         Seven children, three sons and four daughters survive, besides the widow. They are Bernard, Fred and Patrolman Melchior Zeifang, Mrts. John Mumford and Mrs. Rose Seitz, of this city, and Mrs. Julia Stevens, wife of the aviator, now in Porto Rico, and Mrs. Charles J. Evans, of Buffalo. A brother, Bernard Zeifang, an attache of the German government, also survives. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.
  • The following appeared on 20 December 1915 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. J. Mumford of 737 Pierce avenue delightfully entertained a number of friends yesterday afternoon in honor of the 81st birthday anniversary of her mother, Mrs. M. Zeifang. The afternoon was spent singing German hymns and songs, and a number of selections were given on the Victrola. Luncheon was served, the table being centered with a large birthday cake, lighted with eighty-one candles. Just as the guests were about to be seated, Mrs. Zeifang received a telegram from her son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Stevens of New York, congratulating her on this anniversary and regretting that they were unable to be present. Mrs. Zeifang received many lovely gifts. The out-of-town guest was Mrs. C. J. Evans of Buffalo. 
  • Albert Leo Stevens and Julia Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, at 5340 North 28th Avenue. Leo's age is recorded as 41 years.
  • The following appeared on 21 September 1920 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Rose Seitz of the Park hotel, First Street.
  • The following appeared on 2 November 1920 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Rose Seitz of the Park House, First street, have gone to Toledo, O., where they will visit their brother for two weeks.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1921 in The Idaho Statesman: (Omaha) Mrs. Julia Stevens, wife of A. Leo Stevens, chief civilian instructor in aeronautics at the Fort Omaha balloon school here and well known throughout the United States as a ballonist, filed suit for divorce in district court here Wednesday, charging cruelty. Mr. Stevens formerly lived in New York.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1921 in The New York Times: Mrs. Julia Stevens today filed suit in Omaha for divorce from her husband, Captain Leo Stevens of New York, Chief Balloon Instructor of the United States Army, founder of th Aero Club of America, holder of many balloon records and trainer of practically every balloon squad of American soldiers who reached France during the war. Mrs. Stevens charged her husband with cruelty.
  • The following appeared on 25 June 1921 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., is visiting her sister, Mrs. Rose Seitz of First street.
  • She and Albert Leo Stevens were divorced circa April 1922.
  • The following appeared on 29 June 1931 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Zeifang, Mrs. Rose Franklin and Miss Julia Stevens, of this city, have returned from Fremont, Ohio, where on Sunday, June 2, they attended the silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred Zeifang, formerly of this city.
         Dinner was served at the Old Elm tea room, which was attractively decorated with flowers and candles of the pink and white combination. Covers were laid for twenty-five.
         Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang were married at Niagara Falls twenty-five years ago. The bride before her marriage was Miss Ida Steve.
         Mr. Zeifang owns and conducts the Zeifang machine shop on Napoleon street, Fremont, Ohio.
         Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang were the recipients of many beautiful pieces of silver.
  • The following appeared on 15 March 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] Suddenly, in St. Mary's hospital, March 13, 1950, Ben Zeifang, husband of Catherine; father of Mrs. Ursula Ruhlman and Bernard J. Zeifang; brother of Melchior Zeifang, Mrs. Rose Franklin, Mrs. Julia Stevens, all of this city, and Fred J. Zeifang, Freemont, Ohio. Also survived by four grandchildren. Funeral from his late residence, 1109 South avenue, Friday at 2:30 p.m.
  • The following appeared on 7 May 1964 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Melchior (Mike) Zeifang, 91, member of a pioneer family in Niagara Falls, died Wednesday (May 6, 1964) in Thomasville, Ga.
         Mr. Zeifang, a native of Niagara Falls, lived in this city all his life before moving to Georgia four years ago.
         He served as a patrolman in the Niagara Falls Police Department for 17 years and had operated the Zeifang Machine Shop in this city for 30 years.
         He was one of the city's last Spanish American War veterans and one of the few surviving members of the Exempt Firemen. From 1928 to 1932 he was a member of the Niagara County Board of Supervisors. He also was a member of the I.O.O.F. for more than 50 years.
         Surviving are his wife, Emma V. Zeifang, Thomasville; a son, Melville Zeifang, and a sister, Mrs. Julia Stevens, both of this city; a brother, Frederick Zeifang, Fremont, Ohio, and four grandchildren.
         Funeral services and burial were held today in Thomasville.
  • Julia Zeifang died on 17 June 1964 in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.
  • She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 17 June 1964 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Julia Ziefang Stevens, a former souvenir store operator who was said to be the first woman to make a balloon ascension in the United States, died today (June 17, 1964) at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.
         A resident of the Mentz Apartments, Third Street, Mrs. Stevens had been ill a long time. She was 86.
         She was born in Niagara Falls, the daughter of Marcus and Ursula Zeifing, pioneer residents. She was the widow of Col. Leo Stevens, U.S.A., who perfected the parachutes used in World War I.
         She was manager of the Morice Bazaar Souvenir Store in Riverway until 1948 and later worked for a short time at the Morden Souvenir Store in Falls Street.
         Mrs. Stevens is survived by a brother, J. Fred Zeifang, of Fremont, Ohio. Another brother, Michael Ziefang, died recently in Ohio.
         Services will be held at the Gridley Funeral Home at 11 a.m., Friday, conducted by Rev. Paul R. Swank. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 23 June 1964 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: (Card of Thanks) The family of the late Julia Zeifang Stevens wish to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to their many friends and relatives, sisters, doctors, nurses and aides of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, employees of the City Hall, souvenir store friends, for all their kindness and sympathy shown, beautiful floral arrangements, spiritual bouquets and sympathy cards. The loss of a dear sister and aunt. Signed: J. Fred Zeifang, Nephews and Nieces.
  • Last Edited: 18 Jun 2013

Family: Albert Leo Stevens b. circa 1871, d. 7 May 1944